Bengaluru: An SBI branch manager in Anekal taluk, on Bengaluru’s outskirts, has been transferred following public outrage from Kannadigas after she refused to speak Kannada with customers.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the action on X, calling the manager’s refusal to communicate in Kannada or English and her disregard for the public “strongly condemnable.” He praised SBI for acting swiftly and said the issue could now be considered closed.
The controversy erupted after a video went viral showing the manager, identified as Priyanka, telling a customer that she would not speak Kannada under any circumstances. In response to mounting criticism, she issued a video apology, but protesters rejected it and staged a dharna outside the branch, demanding a personal apology and strict action.
In the video, the customer filming the exchange is heard saying that all bank officials must know the local language, citing RBI guidelines.
The manager retorted, “This is India. I will not speak Kannada. If you have a problem, complain to the SBI Chairman.”
The CM further urged the Finance Ministry and Department of Financial Services to introduce cultural and language sensitivity training for bank staff nationwide, emphasising that respecting local languages equates to respecting the people.
